No tax increase for McKeesport area
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
After a lengthy executive session Wednesday, McKeesport Area School Board unanimously passed the 2021-22 budget.
And, there’s good news for property owners in Dravosburg, McKeesport, South Versailles, Versailles and White Oak: No tax increase.
The $81,135,386 spending plan tows the line, keeping the same millage rate of 20.96 mills.
Board directors James Brown, David Donato, Diane Elias, Ivan Hampton, Steve Kondrosky, Jim Poston, Mindy Sturgess and Joe Lopretto voted in favor of approving the budget. Director Tom Filotei was absent.
According to the Allegheny County Community Profile for McKeesport, properties valued at $100,000 saw a school tax bill of about $2,096 in 2020 under the rate of 20.96 mills. Those with a property valued at the median amount of $21,100 received a tax bill of about $442.26.
At a meeting in May, Business Manager Joan Wehner cited cyber-charter tuition costs as a “major budget driver.” She also cited increased health care costs, retirement contribution costs and capital improvement projects.
“I know this budget is a little larger than we’ve had in the past,” Sturgess said to Superintendent Dr. Mark Holtzman Jr. on Wednesday. “Can you focus on some of the highlights of the things we’re adding to address the learning loss and address the needs of our students?”
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